VIMAX vs VSMAX: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares against Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 12, 2001 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VIMAX beat VSMAX?
Yes — measured from Nov 12, 2001 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VIMAX came out ahead: $111,599 versus $109,113 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.3% annual return against 10.2%.
What would $10,000 in VIMAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX) on Nov 12, 2001 would be worth about $111,599 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 1016.0% (10.3% per year). The same $10,000 in VSMAX would be worth $109,113.
Which was riskier — VIMAX or VSMAX?
VIMAX swung with an annualized volatility of 20.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -58.9%; VSMAX ran at 22.6% volatility with a -59.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.40 for VIMAX vs 0.36 for VSMAX.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 12, 2001 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VIMAX vs VSMAX. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.